Corset-clasp



(Nummer.)

G.J.PP0RR.

CORSET CLASP.

N0. 477,819. A Patented June 28, lsz.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE J. PFORR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CO RS E-T-C LAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 477,819, dated J' une28, 1892. v Application filed May 18, 1891. Serial No. 393.124. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. PEORR, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCorset-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in clasps designed for useupon corsets and similar articles which have to be fastened underconsiderable strain. In the use of clasps of this sort as heretoforemade considerable difiicultyhas been encountered in fastening the partstogether, for the reason' that the dierent movements necessary to effectthe fastening and to loosen the sajneare made with great difficultyunder the great strain which necessarily exists. Itis my purpose toproduce a much more convenient and eective fastening by devising onewhich shall require but a single movement in but one direction to bothfasten and unfasten it. This movement will of course be opposite to thedirection of the strain caused by the corset, and hence all that will benecessary to fasten or unfasten the clasp will be to press the edges orsteels together a sufficient distance.

In perfecting the construction of my improved clasp I have made a numberof minor and incidental improvements, which will be fully described; butI do not intend thereby to limit myself to any of said mincrimprovementsor to any combinations of the same, except as definitely pointed out inthe claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings presented herewith for a clearer illustrationof said preferred u construction, the same will be found in Figures I,2, 3, and 4, of which Fig. I is a broken view of two corset-steels withthe different members of three clasps at-tached thereto. Fig. 2 is anenlarged face View of the single clasp with the members thereofseparated. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section in line 3 3 of Fig. LandFig. 4. is a similar cross-section with the clasp just in the act ofengaging. A face-view modification is shown in Fig. 5.

In the figures the corset-steels are lettered A and A and the differentmembers of the clasps B and B', respectively. The member B in each caseconsists of aiat plate secured to the corset-steel, havingits edgesturned up at b and inward to form overhanging flanges b. vIn the middleof the plate is a projecting stud or catch b2, sloping down to the platein the direction of the edge of the corset. The other member consist-sof a tongue-shaped piece of metal B', fastened to the other steel of thecorset and having a projecting portion provided upon opposite sides withheads or hooks b3, adapted to slide beneath the overhanging flanges b',said hooks being deep enough so that the shank upon which they areformed can be lifted upward between the flanges of the other member. Themiddle portion of this tongue contains a perforation b4, fitted toreceive the stud b2, and said middle portion is enabled to yield to passover the stud b2 by cutting loose on three sides a narrow strip b5around the hole and extending back therefrom, so that it can yieldindependently thereof against the spring of the metal itself.. The frontportion of the body of the tongue is bent upward at the middle, as seenat be, so that it can pass over the stud without bending. 1

In fastening the clasp the projecting tongue is inserted between theiianges b and pressed inward until the strip b5 rides up over the studb2 and the latter enters the hole b4. Fig. 4 shows the clasp just beforethe latteract takes place and illustrates the manner in which thedifferent portions of the tongue yield to clear the stud. The middlestrip itself, which contains the hole, bendsin one direction and thestrips of metal on each side thereof, which carry the heads, bend in theopposite direction. f To unclasp the fastening, the two members arecrowded still farthertogether. The strip b5 again rides up the inclineupon the stud b2 until the headsb3 clear the overhanging lianges b',when the spring of the parts forcesthe heads outward and disengages theclasp.

It is immaterial, as will readily be seen, just Where the spring islocated in the clasp. It might be applied to the stud b2, so that thelatter would yield instead of the part with which it engages. Again, thestud itself might be placed upon the spring-strip b5 and the hole b4 beformed in the member B. I should consider neither of these modificationsa departure from my invention.

Fig. 5 illust-rates another modification, in

IOO

which the heads 197 are themselves mounted upon spring-arms and holes baprovided in the upturned anges of the memberB, with which said heads mayengage. The operation in this case is the same as in the other,excepting, of course, the unimportant difference in the direction ofengagement. In this modification the two members are thrown apart. whenthe hooks are disengaged by means ot flaring side iianges b9, which tendto throw the heads 197 away from them as soon as the)1 escape from theoverhanging flanges b', and this form of the device I hold to be a fullmechanical equivalent of that represented by the 'other figures.

The modications here shown are sufficient,

it is believed, to illustrate the general principle of my invention, andfor that reason it is not thought necessary to show any more ot the manydifferent arrangements of parts or various forms in which saidinventionmight be embodied.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a clasp, thecombination of two members B 13', one of which has side Iianges b turnedupward and inward and the other has a projecting tongue having a neck asnarrow as the distance between the overhanging portions of the saidfianges,terminating in heads b3, adapted to slide beneath theoverhanging portions of the said flanges, a stud upon one of saidmembers, means for engagement therewith upon the other, and a springadapted to engage the two, whereby the two members may be engaged bypressing them together and afterward disengaged by pressing them stillfarther in the same direction, substantiall y as described.

2. In a clasp, the combination of two members, one of which has sideflanges turned upward and inward to' form overhanging portions b and theother member has a projecting tongue with a neck as narrow as thedistance between the overhanging portions b and a head ot' greater widthadapted to slide beneath the overhan ging portions, a stud upon one ofthe members, having a beveled edge in the direction fromy which theother member approaches in fastening the clasp, means upon the othermember for engagement with said stud, and -a spring adapted to effectsuch engagement, whereby the two members may be engaged by pressing themtogether and atterward disengaged by pressing them still farther in thesame direction, substantially as described. y

3. In a clasp, the combination of aplate B, having the side flanges bturned upward and inward, and the stud or hook b2, with the member B',having the projecting tongue terminatin g in the heads b3, and the stripb5, secured to the plate at one end a'nd containing the hole b4,substantially as described.

A GEORGE J. PFORR.

Witnesses:

C. P. SMITH, CHARLES O. SHERVEY.

